Protective role of ferulic acid against the damaging effect induced by electromagnetic waves on rat liver and intestine tissues

Background: the increasing use of mobile phones in daily life causes many concerns about their effects on human health. Therefore, this work was designed to study the effects of exposure to 1800 MHz electromagnetic waves (EMW) on the liver and intestine of male albino rats and the protective role of ferulic acid (FA) against these harmful effects. Materials and Methods: twenty-four male albino rats were randomly divided into four groups as follows: 1) control group, 2) treated group given FA, 3) irradiated group exposed to 1800 MHz EMW and 4) treated-irradiated group given FA then exposed to EMW. Biochemical analysis and histopathological examination were performed. Results: a significant increase in serum activities of alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase, and serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α was shown in the irradiated group, while IL-10 was significantly decreased. There was a significant decrease in lactate dehydrogenase and total antioxidant capacity in the tissues of liver and intestine of this group as well as some histopathological changes. All these serum and tissues parameters and histopathological changes were improved in the group treated with FA before exposure to EMW. Conclusion: prolonged exposure to EMW emitted from mobile phones might produce harmful effects in the liver and intestinal tissues of albino rats. These effects can be prevented by FA administration which may be protective against tissue damage induced by EMW through the suppression of oxidative stress.